Built in partnership with The 100th Monkey

Learn how to effectively engage with the media

Effectively engaging the media has never been more important. Brands, organisations and business leaders are under extraordinary pressure to rapidly and transparently communicate what they are doing and why.

Every time you talk to a journalist, you have an opportunity to protect and enhance your reputation. The right training and preparation can help you make the most of that opportunity.

You’ll learn the fundaments of dealing with the media through our online classes, then practice different situations in immersive virtual reality scenarios, where you’ll be able to test out new approaches, and learn to communicate with poise, clarity and conviction.

Online learning, done differently

We combine online classes with VR for a unique learning approach. At certain points throughout this online media training course, you'll be prompted to practice what you've learnt in VR.

Learn with tutorial classes

You’ll complete a series of videos, quizzes, slideshows and case studies through our online platform - available to access at any time.

Practice in realistic VR

Practice what you learn with VR scenarios specific to this course. Talking to the media is just like any other skill - you need to practice to improve.

Improve with VirtualSpeech's loop

Learn online and then practice in VR. This loop occurs multiple times throughout the course and helps you improve more effectively.

Your instructor

Richard Edwards

A communications mentor to some of the leading figures and organisations in British public life, Richard Edwards is highly sought-after coaching and consultant. After a prolific career as a journalist, writing for the Daily Telegraph and Evening Standard, Richard launched the 100th Monkey - a media training programme built on the experience of 20 years in journalism.

VR Training: Unique VR scenarios for this course

Practice your media training with the leading mobile app on the market, downloaded by over 200,000 users. At key points during the online part of the course, you'll be prompted to practice what you've learnt in one of the following VR training scenarios.

BBC styled studio interview

Practice answering tough interview questions in a BBC styled studio. Be more prepared for an upcoming TV interview and learn what to say when under pressure.

Press conference training

Present your idea, product or business in front of over a hundred audience members. Learn to cope with nerves, audience and lighting distractions while presenting.

Down-the-line interview

Answer media questions with just a camera in the room with you. Learn how to structure your responses and focus on the camera when delivering your message.

Radio interview

In this scenario, you’ll be interviewed for a radio show and understand how what you say and behave differs from being in front of a camera.

Need a VR headset?

A headset is required to use the VR training - if you don't already have one, select the headset option when you enroll and we'll send you one.